Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
Medications for Opioid Use Disorders (MOUD) involve a combination of a medications that targets the brain, and psychosocial interventions (e.g., counseling, skills development) aimed at improving treatment outcomes. SAMHSA and the ACOG recommend treatment with methadone or buprenorphine for pregnant women with opioid use disorder, in conjunction with behavioral therapy and medical services. More from ACOG.
MACS provides trainings for Maryland maternal health providers to apply to the Drug Enforcement Agency for their waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is one of three medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid use disorder in pregnant people.
Steps to Obtain your Waiver
- Check your eligibility.
- Take the waiver course: Upcoming Trainings
- Submit your Notification of Intent (NOI) form and Certificates of Completion.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) and Physician Assistants (PA) are required to complete 24 hours of training including the 8 hour waiver training to apply to the Drug Enforcement Agency for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine.
Physicians
Physicians require 8 hours of training to apply to the Drug Enforcement Agency for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine.
Applying for Waiver
To receive a waiver to provide treatment for opioid use disorder with approved buprenorphine medications, a provider must notify the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) of their intent to practice this form of treatment. The notification of intent must be submitted to CSAT after completing the required MOUD training and before the initial dispensing or prescribing of opioid treatment.
SAMHSA's Waiver Application
For more information on the new Department of Health and Human Services' (HSS) bupernorphine practice guidelines see: marylandmacs.org/New-HHS-Practice-Guidelines/
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
The PDMP monitors dispensed drugs that contain controlled dangerous substances. The goal of the PDMP is to assist medical, pharmacy, and public health professionals in the identification and prevention of prescription drug misuse. It also promotes a balanced use of prescription data that preserves the professional practice of healthcare providers and legitimate access to optimal pharmaceutical care.
https://health.maryland.gov/pdmp/Pages/Home.aspx
Additional Training Resources
The Maryland Addiction Consultation Service is administered by the University of Maryland School of Medicine and funded by the Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration.